Itchy skin

[Thisisemmap]

Hi, I was diagnosed with b12 deficiency in May and given the 2 week booster course of injections. My symptoms were extremely itchy skin, heart burn, carpal tunnel type feeling in wrists, eye strain.

Everything cleared up but the itchy skin returned about 6 weeks after the injections, 6 weeks before my first routine 3 monthly injection was due. I’ve made an appointment to ask the doctor to increase to 2 monthly as I’m constantly scratching. What’s the likelihood?

Thanks

[spacey1]

Honestly? Depends on your GP. Some are persuadable (mine allows it every 8 weeks), and some are not.

Print off some of the pinned information and ask. If the GP doesn't agree, you can always fall back on self injecting. It's not ideal, but it is easy and cheap and a lot better than not getting enough!

[Thisisemmap in reply to spacey1]

Thank you, does diet help in between injections? He hasn’t given me much information. I’ve been vegetarian since I was 11 and I’m now 43 so I think he said it would be that I’m not absorbing the b12. If it’s an absorption issue would trying to increase b12 foods be pointless? Thanks

[spacey1 in reply to Thisisemmap]

If your diet is really low in B12 (are you vegan?), then increasing dietary B12 might be helpful. However, a veggie diet isn't necessarily lacking in B12, so if you are finding it hard to absorb, changing your diet won't help.

You could maybe experiment by trying some B12 supplements. If you feel a benefit from them, chances are you can absorb at least some B12. If they're no more effective than Smarties, you're not absorbing!